Carlisle United boss demands 'bravery' to end goals shortage

The Blues failed in front of goal again at Port Vale as they lost 1-0.

The Cumbrians are still on just two goals from six games in league and cup so far in 2023/24.

And while Simpson will this week continue efforts to add to his squad before Friday’s transfer deadline, he says those already in the squad must do more.

“We are struggling to find our feet in terms of getting goals, everybody can see that. The goals for column tells you that, and we all know it,” he said.

“Supporters don’t need to keep saying it. We know it. We are desperately trying to do something.

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“I actually think our two forwards did really well today, they caused all sorts of problems. I felt Luke Plange should have worked the goalkeeper when he had the shot first half, Sean Maguire should have hit the target with his header and he knows that.

“But when we’ve made the changes and are putting crosses in, particularly from the right, our forward players haven’t got on the end of it.

“They’ve got to be brave enough to do it, otherwise they’re going to have to go out of the team.”

After a strong start from Vale, Carlisle grew into the first half and went close through Callum Guy and Owen Moxon.

But James Wilson’s penalty – after debutant keeper Jokull Andresson tripped Ethan Chislett when miscontrolling a Jon Mellish throw – saw the Valiants in front.

And Carlisle could not find a way back.

“For 15 minutes I thought Port Vale caused us absolute chaos, they were very good, they overloaded with Cass, the right-sided centre-back, stepping in and giving us a problem,” United’s boss said.

Paul Simpson (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Once we weathered that and got our feet in the game, I thought we did very well and did a lot of good stuff.

“We can all see we’re in games – every game we’ve been in it. We’ve had opportunities where you’ve got to be better.

“It’s down to bravery. I wasn’t a brave player in that I wouldn’t tackle, I couldn’t go competing for headers and stuff like that, but I was brave to get on the ball and get in the box.

“I missed loads but I just had that mentality to get back in. That’s what I want our players to keep doing.

“We can do it in training when there’s no pressure. You have to do it here.

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“We’ve talked all week about getting across the first post, and if you can’t get it you might put the keeper off.

“We’ve had balls going across today and we didn’t have anyone across the front post. In the first half we had an opportunity where Sean Maguire has got across the front post and we stick it to the far post.

“It’s that decision-making, that bravery to go and get across there. You have to do it.

“Not everybody can be a crunching tackler and want to put your head in where studs are, but if your game is being a forward player you have to be brave to go and score.

“We’re lacking in that a bit at the moment and we need to get ourselves sorted out as soon as we possibly can.

“I don’t want to be feeling like this after games, I want a better feeling to it as I’m sure all those hundreds of supporters who’ve made the journey want to as well.”